This document summarises the proposals highlighted during 2007 in a series of EAPN reports. (See below), with additional proposals which arose from EAPN recent discussions with our Social Inclusion Working Group as part of a Capacity Building seminar and workshop on the OMC ( 29th March), involving members from 24 member states.
{jathumbnail}This new issue looks at the campaign EAPN launched last December for Adequate Minimum Income schemes.
Brussels, 11 March 2008 – In a letter sent today to EU Prime Ministers ahead of the European Spring Council due to take place on 13-14 March, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) raises questions about whether Member States will strengthen their cooperation to address growing inequalities and seriously tackle the unacceptable high levels of poverty in the EU. EAPN asks the forthcoming Spring Council to give clear answers to four key questions.
In a letter sent today to EU Prime Ministers ahead of the European Spring Council due to take place on 13-14 March, EAPN asks the forthcoming Spring Council to give clear answers to four key questions on Social Europe.
EAPN recently submitted its contribution to the second stage wide-ranging public consultation entitled “Modernising social protection for greater social justice and economic cohesion: taking forward the active inclusion of people furthest from the labour market”.
Brussels, 28 February 2008 – In its response to the Commission’s consultation on Active Inclusion ending today, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) strongly confirms its support for the Commission’s initiative. EAPN calls on the Member States of the EU to adopt under the French Presidency active inclusion principles which respect the integrity of the active inclusion package and recognises that adequate income and access to quality services are a prerequisite to successful employment and social integration.
The present paper focuses on a more detailed reading of pieces of the ‘employment part’ of the Lisbon package, the European Employment Strategy (ie the draft Joint Employment Report and the proposals for new guidelines), and assesses to what extent our social inclusion concerns have been taken into consideration.
In its response to the Commission’s public consultation on Europe’s ‘social reality’, EAPN calls on the European Commission to build upon the outcomes of the Social Reality Stocktaking exercice to develop an ambitious Social policy agenda.
Replying to the European Commission consultation on the future of EU cohesion policy, EAPN stressed the need to see structural funds as a tool not only for growth and jobs, but also for the fight against social inequalities.
This new Guidance note therefore sets out to provide the guidelines for member states and stakeholders on the objectives and process for the new cycle in the development of the National Strategic Reports (2008-11) and its relationship to the Lisbon National Reform Programmes (2008-11). In its response to the guidance note for the Strategic Reports 2008-11, EAPN would like to highlight its satisfaction, but insists it would have liked more time for consultation.